Omega-3 fatty acids may slow some cases of Alzheimer's disease

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

People with very mild Alzheimer's disease are helped by supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.
We already know that eating fish has been shown to protect against Alzheimer's disease, at least in some studies. This has prompted the question as to whether fish oil supplements, containing omega-3 fatty acids, might have a similarly protective effect.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, studied a group of 204 patients with Alzheimer's disease. They received either an omega-3 supplement or placebo for six months. The supplement contained a combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (1.7 grams) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EHA) (0.6 grams). For the next six months, all the patients received the omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

A sub-group of patients who had very mild Alzheimer's disease seemed to gain some benefit from being on the supplement. The rate of cognitive decline was somewhat slowed down. But, in general, there was no clear difference between the two groups at six months. For those on placebo during the first six months, being on omega-3s in the next six months seemed to slow their cognitive decline. The researchers are not sure why omega-3 fatty acids show this benefit but think it may be due to an anti-inflammatory effect which may be important in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Source
Archives of Neurology October 2006 Volume 63 pages 1402-1408

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.